LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Seven people are charged in a Louisville copper wire theft ring that targeted critical infrastructure. It's part of an ongoing issue that has left areas of the city in the dark and cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
Brian Burgett, Chad Hester, Eric Jenkins, Anthony Napier, Jonathan St. Clair, Curtis Terry and Julio Torres face felony-level charges for a series of "high-value copper wire thefts."
Investigators believe this operation may be linked to other copper wire thefts along Kentucky highways. However, the overall issue also impacts 911 calls.
"It shows our ramped up efforts are working in partnership with ABC and LMPD," Mayor Craig Greenberg said on Friday. "Our ABC officers in partnership with LMPD, thanks to a tip from the private sector, were able to bring these perpetrators to justice."
Greenberg said the thefts happened at several locations. He wouldn't go into further detail, but said "that will all be made public in the course of the prosecution."
He said the investigation started with a tip from a scrap metal recycler who was reporting people selling suspicious burnt wire AT&T and other service providers use.
On Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, Brian Burgett, 54, Chad Hester, 51, Eric Jenkins, 37, were arrested, and face felony-level charges in connection to copper wire thefts. (Photos courtesy of LMDC)
Burgett, Hester, and Napier are also now accused of working together to steal wire from a TRIMARC traffic sign in 2023, causing it to stop working. Court documents reveal the value of the wire and the damage was around $50,000.
"Thieves have been stealing copper wire for too long," Greenberg said. "We're tired of it. We're taking action."
At times, it's been hard to see at night on some of Louisville's roads and interstates because of these thefts. However, it's not just street lights they're stealing from.
Thieves are targeting infrastructure tied to phone lines and 911 services.
"If those go out, that impacts the safety for others," Greenberg said.
Kentucky legislators passed Senate Bill 64 during the 2025 session. Greenberg said it was at his administration's "request and recommendation."
The new law makes it a felony to tamper with or damage critical infrastructure in the state. This includes messing with cable, telephone, broadband, and electrical highway infrastructure.
"We hope it's a deterrent to stop people from doing this in the first place," Greenberg said. "We're going to continue to lock people up who steal our copper wire."
Louisville Metro Council is also cracking down on this issue, with a new ordinance that makes having infrastructure wiring a Class A misdemeanor. The punishment is a fine of up to $500 or a year in jail.
Louisville also launched a Critical Infrastructure Task Force in July, installed more cameras, and added new technology to alert police when a wire is being cut.
Anyone with information about copper theft or infrastructure-related crimes is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 502-582-CLUE (2583). Cash rewards are available for those providing tips which lead to prosecution.
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